Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1887-01-21

az roaming as they do over
Tue same region of country on the great
plans Of Colorado and Northwestern
lexas, up TO the Yellowstone and the
missouri River on the north. But to re !
turn to Carson and the CJmancbes. Be.
lofe setting out in pursuit he visited (s
ne tod me himselD the scene of the
"aite massacre, which had been dis
covered by Mexican. From the way
IN which the goods and other material
lay scattered around he knew it was the
work OF Comanches, and this fact aided
MN In trailing. When he returned to
Col. Sumner and the dragons, and
urged him, as said before to make a
forced march so as to reach the Indian
village before daylight, the Colonel ask
ed him:
How many Indians are there in
campp
"From 800 to 4OO replied Carso.;
all lighting men, with their families
"'Too many for me to handle said
the Colonel. i have only sixty fighting
regulars and about twenty-fiv volun-
teers gathered in from surrounding
ranches. Icannot risk their lives against
50 large a party
carson grew impatient 'There is
nota moment to be lost, Colonel, if you
wonld surprise the Indians and rescue
the women
~ positively refuse to give the order
toFdyance,' Sumner said, with cool de-
ten nation.
~ 5e-rn-~wmRr-'s kind heart and daring
cohfagc asserted themselves He turned
from the cavalry Colonel with a slight
gesture Of contempt, and raising himself
in his stirrups, while the fire of heroism
flashed from his eyes, called out in
loud clear voice:
Voluntcersl l want volunteers
Who will ride with me to save white
women and children from torture and
deathp
Carson knew a few of the Rocky
Mountain boys in the party, wAo, Of
course, were at his side in moment, and
number of the soldiers also offered to
go. Here Col. Sumner intcrposed.
Carson, said he, 4 will hold you re-
sponsible for the lives of my men,
alright Colonel, replied the gal
Iant KIT waving his hand, as at tn.
head of a party of thirty he dashed off mo
the d rkness on his mission of venge-
anco and possibly Of rescue.
The action OF Col. Sumner was that Of
ira ned and careful soldier. brave
under all circumstances; but the art Of
war had taugh, him the folly of uselesly
exposing the lives of men for whom he
was responsible, as he would have done
had he pittcd 60 soldiers against 400
of warike, desperate, and determined
tribe OF Indians, such as the Comanches
were known to be- Carson, of course,
was irresponsible, and his action was
Characteristic, taxing all chances, and
trusting to his Indian knowledge to beat
the savages at their own game. We call
his rdl reckless, Tut at the same time
admire the courage that prompted it.
They rode all next day and night,
reaching the Indian village a little after
daylight, but unfortunately were dis
covered by the Comanches, so that the
Indians had time to make break, and
several of them got into the ravines and
brush. Carson's party went to work
with will, killing Unfortunately
bucks, squaws, and papooses. One of
the avengers, Doc Reed, singled out the
Indian who was dragging off the cap
tive Mrs. White by the hair of the head.
in a direction different from that the
other Cdskins were taking, thinking,
doubtless, he might be able to escape
unseen with his victim. The haplcss
woman's body was terribly bruised as
well as blistered by sunburns. Com
plctely at the mercy of the brawney saw
age, she, on hearing the yell of the
white men, as they dashed in to the at
tack, fell down and was being dragged
III IN the manner described. When
Reed discovered the situation, he
wheeled his horse and spurred him to-
ward the Indian, who shot an arrow in
to the feshy part of the riders back as
his horse, being somewhat un-
manageable, passed him. But
refining him up finally, and
just as the Comanche was about to let
sip another arrow at him, Reed drew a
steady bead on him with a large Colts
revolver, and, uttering piercing death
yell, the savage fell on the ground with
bullet in his brain. Reed told me the
Indians yell rang in his ears for months
aiterward. His killing the Comanche.
however, prompt as it was, did not. un
fortunately, save the captive, Mrs.
White. Hastily dismounting, Reed ran
to where she lay, only to find her gasp.
ing in death, her bosom pierced by sew.
eral arrows. A more pitiable sight ha,